Health system is one of the many ignored sectors in Pakistan, as no government has majorly focused on developing it. The situation for women health is even dire as it stands at 153rd in health and survival global index, only better than Afghanistan in South Asia. One of the major reasons behind this is the role of women in family system, as they have rather low say in matter related to their health, like child-bearing, exposing an inability to imagine their ole beyond that of motherhood. As per Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07, the maternal mortality rate was 276 deaths per 100,000 live births. Although it has improved to 186, but still, it is too high. Furthermore, in many households, the women get insufficient nutrition in the family system and are often last to eat. 

Then there is a serious culture issue where the families are very hesitant to take women of their families to a male doctor. And experts maintain that if one links to another ‘norm’ that thousands of female doctors leave practice after marriage or getting degree, one can understand the scenario better. As per a media report of 2019, around 85,000 female doctors, who completed their degree at the expense of state or privately, are not part of the medical system of the country. 

As per Dr Sara Saeed, CEO Of Sehat Kahani, a healthcare startup: “A large number of women in lower income group communities in Pakistan don’t have access to healthcare facilities but there are thousands of out-of-profession female doctors, who can be mobilized to serve these patients through telemedicine. This would not only lower disease burden but would also save thousands of lives in the country.” 

Now, if we discuss the situation in the COVID-19 pandemic times, observers say that it is either same or has aggravated in many cases. According to statistics 56% of the rural population in Pakistan doesn’t have the access to washing facilities with water and soap at home, which is essential for preventing the coronavirus. Now, in those areas, women face more vulnerability i.e., cultural stigma with women’s use of lavatories in presence of male family members, even these facilities are available in home, many women are forced to defecate in open fields, which makes them unable to properly dispose of faeces or wash their hands properly. Secondly, women use firewood in stoves, which is a major cause of respiratory illness, which increases their vulnerability against COVID-19. 

As per UN Women’s data: “As compared to men, women in Pakistan are less likely to receive information about COVID-19, due to limited access to internet, limited cell phone ownership and comparatively lower level of education. As per 2018 Global Digital Report, women in Pakistan are 37% less likely than men to own a mobile or have internet access.” 

“Healthcare must be imagined as a feminist issue, one that the feminist movement in Pakistan must address as it is the site where patriarchal oppression, violence and exclusions play out in the most visceral sense — denial or provision of inadequate healthcare on the basis of gender means the difference between life and death,” notes gender rights activist Shmyla Khan.

Coming to health sector, the women have significantly contributed in combating the pandemic, working as frontline workers as doctors, nurses, paramedics and lady health visitors. “80% employees in health sector are women, yet a tendency to underrate and underutilize their knowledge and skills persists,” Pakistan Bureau of Statistics noted. The COVID-19 lockdown has also played a part in creating a health inequality for women as they have less mobility making it difficult for them to access health care facilities. 

Experts, however, maintain that the picture about women health is bleak. When activists try to protest or march about these issues, they face online and media harassment, threats and even blasphemy charges. Activists maintain that the road to a better health system for Pakistani citizens, especially women, is very long, and observers express hope that perhaps in future the government will start focus on it. 

Some experts say that may be the recent Universal Health System introduced by the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) is the answer, which has been provided across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and vow to give it to every citizen of Punjab by end of this year. However, experts insist that there is a lot that needs to be done.